The Lord of the Sabath

Luke 6:1-11

There’s something special about a day of rest.

Imagine a hard-working father who labors six days a week to provide for his family.

He finally gets a day off, but instead of enjoying it, he spends the whole day stressing about whether he’s resting the “right way.”

His doctor has told him that he needs to rest and relax more or he’s going to have a heart attack.

So, he keeps checking the clock, making sure he doesn’t accidentally do something that looks like work.

By the end of the day, he’s more exhausted than when he started.

What was supposed to be a blessing has become a burden.

This is exactly what happened with the Sabbath in Jesus’ time.

God had given the Sabbath as a gift—a time to rest, worship, and remember His goodness.

But by the time Jesus arrived, the Pharisees had turned it into a long list of rules.

They had built a system where even picking a few heads of grain to eat was considered a violation.

Instead of the Sabbath bringing people closer to God, it became a heavy chain around their necks.

In Luke 6:1-11, Jesus confronted this distortion.

He didn’t break the Sabbath; He clarified its true purpose.

He showed that human need and mercy matter more than rigid legalism.

And most importantly, He made a bold declaration—He is Lord of the Sabbath.

This wasn’t just a lesson on rules; it was a revelation of His divine authority.

This passage challenges us today:

Are we so focused on religious traditions that we miss the heart of God?

Do we judge others based on man-made expectations instead of showing grace?

Have we truly learned to rest in Christ, or are we still striving to “prove” ourselves?

Jesus calls us away from legalism and into a relationship of faith, mercy, and rest.

As we dive into this passage, let’s see what it really means to follow the Lord of the Sabbath.

I. The Confrontation Regarding the Sabbath

1 And it came to pass on the second sabbath after the first, that he went through the corn fields; and his disciples plucked the ears of corn, and did eat, rubbing them in their hands. 2 And certain of the Pharisees said unto them, Why do ye that which is not lawful to do on the sabbath days?

The scene unfolds on a quiet Sabbath day as Jesus and His disciples walk through a field of grain.

The disciples, feeling hungry, reach out and pluck some heads of grain, rubbing them between their hands to eat the kernels.

A simple, harmless act—yet in the eyes of the Pharisees, it was a scandalous violation of their Sabbath rules.

The Pharisees immediately pounce, saying, “Why do ye that which is not lawful to do on the sabbath days?” (Luke 6:2).

Notice their attitude.

They weren’t joyfully worshiping God or focusing on rest; they were watching, waiting, and looking for an opportunity to accuse.

Their version of religion wasn’t about knowing God—it was about controlling people.

But what was the real issue here?

The disciples weren’t stealing.

According to the Old Testament law, gleaning from a field like this was perfectly legal.

Deuteronomy 23:25 KJV

25 When thou comest into the standing corn of thy neighbour, then thou mayest pluck the ears with thine hand; but thou shalt not move a sickle unto thy neighbour’s standing corn.

The problem wasn’t the act itself; it was that the Pharisees had added layer upon layer of human tradition to God’s law.

They had defined what counted as “work” down to absurd details—plucking grain was “reaping,” rubbing it in their hands was “threshing,” and blowing away the husks was “winnowing.”

In their eyes, Jesus’ disciples had just committed three violations of the Sabbath law, all in one bite!

But here’s the irony: the Sabbath was meant to be a blessing, a day of rest and worship, not a burden.

The Pharisees had turned it into a day of anxiety—people were more worried about breaking a rule than drawing near to God.

A. The Disciples’ Action

“plucked the ears of corn, and did eat, rubbing in their hands.” (v. 1)

The disciples were simply meeting a basic human need—hunger.

Scripture allowed gleaning from fields as long as it wasn’t excessive (Deuteronomy 23:25).

There was nothing unlawful about what they did—except by the Pharisees’ extra rules.

Imagine a child taking a drink from a public water fountain on a hot day, only for someone to scold them for “stealing water.”

That’s how absurd this accusation was—the disciples weren’t violating God’s law, only man-made traditions.

B. The Pharisees’ Accusation

“Why do ye that which is not lawful?” (v. 2)

The Pharisees weren’t truly concerned about righteousness—they were focused on control.

They interpreted the disciples’ actions as work, stretching the law beyond what God had intended.

They saw themselves as spiritual enforcers, but they had missed the heart of the law (Matthew 23:23-24).

Matthew 23:23–24 KJV

23 Woe unto you, scribes and Pharisees, hypocrites! for ye pay tithe of mint and anise and cummin, and have omitted the weightier matters of the law, judgment, mercy, and faith: these ought ye to have done, and not to leave the other undone. 24 Ye blind guides, which strain at a gnat, and swallow a camel.

There’s an old story of a church that had a rule—you couldn’t walk into the sanctuary without wearing a suit and tie. One day, a homeless man showed up seeking help, but the congregation turned him away because he wasn’t “properly dressed.”

The Pharisees had the same mindset.

They were so obsessed with outward obedience that they completely missed the reason the law was given in the first place.

It’s easy to look at the Pharisees and shake our heads, but we often do the same thing.

Do we place traditions above the heart of God?

Do we focus more on following rules than on loving people?

True faith is not about legalistic nitpicking—it’s about living in obedience with a heart full of grace.

This confrontation shows us something important: Jesus wasn’t just dealing with a minor debate over Sabbath regulations.

He was confronting an entire system of man-made religion that had missed the point of God’s commands.

And in doing so, He was about to make a statement that would turn their world upside down.

II. The Clarification of the Sabbath

3 And Jesus answering them said, Have ye not read so much as this, what David did, when himself was an hungred, and they which were with him; 4 How he went into the house of God, and did take and eat the shewbread, and gave also to them that were with him; which it is not lawful to eat but for the priests alone? 5 And he said unto them, That the Son of man is Lord also of the sabbath.

The Pharisees were confident in their accusation.

In their minds, Jesus and His disciples had been caught red-handed breaking the Sabbath.

But instead of defending Himself with technicalities, Jesus pointed them to Scripture—specifically, to an incident in the life of David, a man they revered.

This really was a brilliant response.

The Pharisees prided themselves on their knowledge of the Old Testament, yet Jesus exposed a contradiction in their thinking.

He reminded them that human need takes precedence over rigid legalism.

Then, He made an even more shocking statement—He, the Son of Man, is Lord of the Sabbath.

In other words, He has authority over it.

The issue wasn’t just about picking grain.

It was about who Jesus is.

The Pharisees saw themselves as the gatekeepers of the Sabbath, but Jesus declared that He is the One who defines it.

This was a direct challenge to their authority—and they knew it.

A. The Precedent of David

“Have ye not read…?” (vv. 3-4)

Jesus referenced 1 Samuel 21:1-6, when David and his men were fleeing from Saul.

1 Samuel 21:1–6 KJV

1 Then came David to Nob to Ahimelech the priest: and Ahimelech was afraid at the meeting of David, and said unto him, Why art thou alone, and no man with thee? 2 And David said unto Ahimelech the priest, The king hath commanded me a business, and hath said unto me, Let no man know any thing of the business whereabout I send thee, and what I have commanded thee: and I have appointed my servants to such and such a place. 3 Now therefore what is under thine hand? give me five loaves of bread in mine hand, or what there is present. 4 And the priest answered David, and said, There is no common bread under mine hand, but there is hallowed bread; if the young men have kept themselves at least from women. 5 And David answered the priest, and said unto him, Of a truth women have been kept from us about these three days, since I came out, and the vessels of the young men are holy, and the bread is in a manner common, yea, though it were sanctified this day in the vessel. 6 So the priest gave him hallowed bread: for there was no bread there but the shewbread, that was taken from before the Lord, to put hot bread in the day when it was taken away.

They were hungry, and David requested the shewbread, which was normally reserved for the priests.

God didn’t condemn David for this act because it was done out of necessity.

This is a Key Truth: If David, whom the Pharisees respected, could eat the sacred bread without condemnation, how much more could the disciples pluck grain to satisfy their hunger?

Imagine a man stranded in a snowstorm who stumbles upon a cabin stocked with food. No one is there, but a sign says, “Do not enter.” He must choose—obey the rule and freeze to death or take shelter and survive. Any reasonable person would say human need matters more than the rule. That’s exactly what Jesus was saying here.

Rules without compassion create legalism, not holiness.

God is more concerned with hearts than with outward rituals.

Do we sometimes hold others to man-made standards instead of God’s heart?

B. The Person of the Sabbath

“The Son of Man is Lord also of the sabbath” (v. 5)

Here’s where Jesus stunned the Pharisees—He didn’t just defend the disciples, He claimed authority over the Sabbath itself.

The title “Son of Man” refers to the Messiah, a divine figure with dominion over all things.

Daniel 7:13–14 KJV

13 I saw in the night visions, and, behold, one like the Son of man came with the clouds of heaven, and came to the Ancient of days, and they brought him near before him. 14 And there was given him dominion, and glory, and a kingdom, that all people, nations, and languages, should serve him: his dominion is an everlasting dominion, which shall not pass away, and his kingdom that which shall not be destroyed.

In claiming to be Lord of the Sabbath, Jesus was claiming to be God.

Notice another Key Truth here: The Pharisees thought they controlled the Sabbath, but Jesus declared, “I am its Lord.”

This was a direct confrontation of their authority.

But also a clear declaration of His authority.;

Imagine someone walking into your house and rearranging your furniture without asking. You’d be upset—it’s your house!

But what if that man was the owner of the house, and it was a house that you had been charged to house sit and care for.

You had not met the man, but all was arranged over email.

Would you have a right to be upset, then?

Of course not —He is the Lord of the House.

Just because the Pharisees thought they were in charge of the Sabbath, doesn’t mean that they were.

The real Lord showed up…they just didn’t recognize Him.

Jesus was essentially saying, “This is My Sabbath. I set the rules.”

True rest isn’t found in legalism but in Christ.

Jesus calls us to find our spiritual rest in Him (Matthew 11:28-30).

Matthew 11:28–30 KJV

28 Come unto me, all ye that labour and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest. 29 Take my yoke upon you, and learn of me; for I am meek and lowly in heart: and ye shall find rest unto your souls. 30 For my yoke is easy, and my burden is light.

Are we resting in Christ, or are we still trying to earn favor with God through rules and rituals?

The example of David proves that human need takes priority over ceremonial law.

The authority of Jesus proves that He defines the Sabbath, not man-made traditions.

True rest is found in Christ, not in religious rule-keeping.

Jesus’ words shook the foundation of the Pharisees’ belief system.

They had built their religious authority around rules, but Jesus declared that the Sabbath was about a relationship with God.

Instead of focusing on regulations, they should have been focusing on the One who gave the Sabbath in the first place.

This is why legalism is so dangerous—it puts rules above relationships and rituals above righteousness.

But Jesus came to bring freedom, not bondage.

Are we more concerned with man-made standards than with Christ’s authority?

Are we truly resting in Him?

This passage leads us directly into the next scene—a dramatic demonstration of Jesus’ authority that would push the Pharisees even further toward opposition.

III. The Compassion Displayed on the Sabbath

6 And it came to pass also on another sabbath, that he entered into the synagogue and taught: and there was a man whose right hand was withered. 7 And the scribes and Pharisees watched him, whether he would heal on the sabbath day; that they might find an accusation against him. 8 But he knew their thoughts, and said to the man which had the withered hand, Rise up, and stand forth in the midst. And he arose and stood forth. 9 Then said Jesus unto them, I will ask you one thing; Is it lawful on the sabbath days to do good, or to do evil? to save life, or to destroy it? 10 And looking round about upon them all, he said unto the man, Stretch forth thy hand. And he did so: and his hand was restored whole as the other. 11 And they were filled with madness; and communed one with another what they might do to Jesus.

The confrontation in the grain fields was just the beginning.

In the next scene, Jesus steps into a synagogue on the Sabbath, where the Pharisees are waiting, watching.

This time, it’s not about plucking grain—it’s about healing a man with a withered hand.

Jesus knew what they were thinking.

He could see their hard hearts, their legalistic minds, and their lack of mercy.

But instead of avoiding the conflict, He deliberately called the man forward and asked a question that would expose their hypocrisy:

“Is it lawful on the sabbath days to do good, or to do evil? To save life, or to destroy it?” (v. 9)

With those words, He shattered their rigid thinking.

The Sabbath was meant for rest and renewal, yet the Pharisees had twisted it into a cold and lifeless ritual.

And when Jesus healed the man, they didn’t rejoice—they plotted against Him.

This moment reveals the vast difference between man’s legalism and God’s mercy.

A. The Man in Need

“A man whose right hand was withered” (v. 6)

This man’s right hand was useless—a major hardship in a world where physical labor was essential.

He wasn’t seeking controversy; he was seeking healing.

In many ways, he represents all of us—spiritually broken and in need of Christ’s healing touch.

Imagine a carpenter who suddenly loses the use of his dominant hand.

His ability to provide for his family is gone.

That’s the kind of struggle this man faced every day.

Here is another Key Truth: The Sabbath was meant to be a day of renewal, yet the Pharisees had no interest in this man’s suffering—only in trapping Jesus.

Here we see…

B. The Malice of the Pharisees

“They watched him… that they might find an accusation” (v. 7)

Notice their posture—they weren’t there to worship, They weren’t there to learn, or They weren’t there to seek truth.

They were watching Jesus like hunters tracking prey.

Instead of rejoicing over a miracle, they were looking for something to condemn.

Legalism always breeds a critical spirit—it focuses on catching others doing wrong instead of seeking to do right.

Some people sit in church, not to worship, but to criticize—the sermon was too long, the music was too loud, someone didn’t dress the way they thought they should.

That’s exactly how the Pharisees were acting.

They didn’t care about people, only about their own power and traditions.

I recently had an encounter with someone who was complaining a lot about something.

I told them, “It just seems like you are looking for something to complain about.”

They shocked me by saying, “Yes, I am!”

I was shocked they admitted it.

But that is the way we get sometimes, especially when we get upset about something, we start looking for more…rather than forgive.

🔹 A legalistic heart is more concerned with being right than with being righteous.

Are we watching others to find faults or to find ways to show mercy?

C. The Mercy of the Savior

“Stretch forth thy hand” (v. 10)

Jesus knew their thoughts (v. 8) yet refused to back down.

He posed a piercing question—Is it lawful to do good or evil on the Sabbath? (v. 9).

The answer was obvious—doing good is always right!

But the Pharisees were so blinded by tradition that they refused to acknowledge it.

Jesus spoke a word, and the man’s hand was restored instantly.

🔹 Here is yet another Key Truth: The Pharisees saw a rule to be kept; Jesus saw a man to be healed.

This is a challenge to all of us.

Do we see a man or woman who is bound by drugs and hurting, or do we see a law breaker and look down our noses at them?

Love and mercy come first.

🔹 Are we more concerned with people’s problems or protecting our traditions?

Jesus always puts people first.

D. The Madness of the Pharisees

“They were filled with madness” (v. 11)

Instead of being amazed at the miracle, they were angry.

Their hatred of Jesus was now stronger than their love for truth.

They had no answer for Jesus’ wisdom, so they resorted to plotting His death.

So often when people refuse truth, they don’t just ignore it—they fight against it.

I have ridden with people who refuses to admit they’re lost and they end up driving further in the wrong direction rather than turning around.

That’s exactly what the Pharisees did.

They were confronted with truth, but instead of repenting, they doubled down on their hatred.

Conclusion

How do we respond when Scripture convicts us?

Do we harden our hearts like the Pharisees, or do we humble ourselves before Christ?

The man’s need was real, but the Pharisees ignored it.

The Pharisees’ legalism led to criticism, but Jesus’ mercy led to healing.

Instead of rejoicing in God’s power, the Pharisees rejected it.

This passage reveals two kinds of hearts:

1. A merciful heart, like Jesus’, which seeks to help and heal.

2. A legalistic heart, like the Pharisees’, which seeks to criticize and control.

which do you portray?

Do we have the heart of Jesus, or the heart of the Pharisees?

Are we looking for ways to help others, or ways to find fault?

Do we truly rest in Christ, or are we still trapped by religious performance?

Jesus, the Lord of the Sabbath, calls us to something greater than rules and rituals—He calls us to grace, mercy, and rest in Him.